BUS DRIVER RESPONSIBLE FOR FIVE DEATHS

Chronicle (Levin), 12 August 1947, Page 2

BUS DRIVER RESPONSIBLE FOR FIVE DEATHS

NAPIER, August 11. In Ihe .Supreme Court before Atr. Just i-c Smith, today, Denby Boyd, a bus driver who was found guiltv on four counts of the negligent driving of a bus thereby causiug the death of five persons and on seven counts of negligent driving thereby causiug bodily injury to seven others, was fined £50 in defauit four months ' liard labour on the first counts and ordered to eouie up for sentcnce on the rcmaining counts if called on within three months. Ilis prcsent driving liccuce was cancelled and he was prohibited from obtaining another for five years. The Judge said he recognised prisoner's previous good record as a driver. The evidence sliowed clearlv that he was on the wrong side of the road and that the lookout was not sufficient for the conditions of driving rain which he niet. "From the public point of view the collision was very serious, " said Mr. Justice Smith. "You were responsible for a grave disastcr on a public highway to a bus plying for hire. In all the circuiustanccs I do not 'think 4 should impose a sentence of imprisoninent. On the other liand I niust mark the severity of the disastcr and show how great is the public interest in the safe driving of vehicles plying for liirc. "